The Life I Left Behind

Title: The Life I Left Behind
Author: Colette McBeth
Type: Paperback
Read: 16th August - 21st August
Rating: 5/5
Published: 13th August by Headline Review

Six years ago Melody was left for dead. When the body of another woman, Eve, is discovered, Melody knows her attacker is still out there. The only ways she can survive is to follow the clues of the life that Eve left behind. 

I requested a copy of Book Bridgr which i recived about two weeks before release date. I did pick this book based on its title. I wanted to know why someone left their life behind, then when i read the description, i realised they had no choice.

The book is split into three sections although not titled so, you just notice that you get chapter one a few times over. The story is told from various view points, Eve, who has been killed and is stuck, almost in limbo. Not yet able to cross over but able to watch over people. Then it changes to Melody, who was attacked six years prior to Eve. What brings these two people together. We also get the view point of DI Rutter who is in charge of investigating Eves murder.

The change of characters is good, when each tells their stories, it switches back and forth to present time and what happened in the past. Eve we learn was helping David Alden with trying to clear his name, having spent five years in prison after being charged with attacking Melody and leaving her for dead. Eve is looking down, she knows who really attacked Melody as its the same person that killed her.

I was slow reading this book at first and there were some characters that i really wasnt' enjoying. Melody took a while to like, i think her fear was something that stopped me liking her straight away. As the book went on we met her partner Sam and friend Patrick and you love one and hate the other. Eve was brilliant, i did adore her. She was likeable, happy and full of life, well when she lived, but she was just someone you wanted to know more of, what her life was like and what happened for it to end so soon.

The story goes through both attaks, through flashbacks and various characters are in the firing line for who you start to think did it. I did think half way through i figured it out and i was getting annoyed at it being dragged out. But a good author doesn't make it so easy. It was only until the last few chapters that i began doubting everything i thought i knew. It was gripping towards the end. I stayed up till midnight just to ensure i finished it.

I love books that get you thinkig and then doubting yourself. I love mysteries. It's an addictive book, one certainly worth reading!

Go get it from: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones